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Gastric Band Service 

Have you tried everything? Has nothing else worked? Do you wonder if weight loss surgery is for you? The Gastric Band Service is one of the UK’s leading specialist bariatric specialist groups.
 
Bariatric Nurse Specialist Sharon Bates, Gastric Band Service [GBS] and the Avon Obesity Service [AOS] team will help you enjoy the health and lifestyle benefits of successful weight loss treatment.
 
Sharon had weight loss surgery in 2000 and has a unique perspective of life with weightloss surgery and life before weight loss surgery. It is difficult living as an outsize person in a world that endorses and values small size people. Sharon lived as a size 32 and experienced the fears, concerns and anxiety of surgery wondering, 'is it for me?' 
 
Sadly, those who are fat, overweight or obese often experience ridicule, prejudice, rejection and exclusion. AOS and GBS offer a non-judgemental, confidential and safe service to those seeking weight related change or weightloss surgery. As a team of professionals, working within Bariatric surgery, both GBS and Avon Obesity Service, offer understanding, professional support and expert advice based on many years of experience and specialist training. 

Gastric Banding

Surgical procedures such as gastric banding and gastric bypass are recognised to be more successful if the person is supported long term by an experienced team. Weight loss is sustained when a variety of specialities are available leading to an increased understanding of your physical, psychological and emotional changes.  Practical ideas and forward planning also contribute to healthy and sustained weight loss.
 
When you are content with the amount of weight you have lost, GBS and the Avon Obesity Service team help you with these skills to maintain your new size.
 
Gastric Band Service and Avon Obesity Service offer support throughout your weight loss journey and weight loss surgery should you chose weight loss surgery as your preferred option. 
 
Have you had gastric band or gastric bypass surgery elsewhere? GBS and Avon Obesity Service team are able to offer you follow-up care that includes gastric band adjustment/fills/inflations. The Avon Obesity Team [AOS] team have experienced Consultant Bariatric Surgeons; Mr Justin Morgan and Miss Sally Norton to whom you may also be referred. They are also experts in revisional or ‘re-do’ surgery.
 
Should you need medical review you are able to consultant Physician Dr Andrew Johnson who is a specialist in Obesity, Endocrinology and Diabetes.
 
Dr Michael Darby Consultant Radiologist is a specialist in bariatric medical imaging, CT scans and fluoroscopic X-rays.

Sharon Bates

Sharon is a Registered Nurse, Midwife and Counsellor. She has significant experience as a health practitioner, a community Midwife and an NHS Manager. She is a professionally qualified and experienced Humanisic Counsellor and holds a Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders. Sharon is a co facilitator at The National Centre for Eating Disorders and is a founder member of The Avon Obesity Service Team www.avonobesityservice.co.uk based in Bristol.
 
Sharon and the team trained with internationally acclaimed weight loss surgeon Dr Vincent Frering in Lyon, France. Dr. Frering has performed over 8,000 laparoscopic weight loss procedures including gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding. Dr Frering is recognised as one of the leading bariatric surgeons in the world and is a senior member of IFSO council.
 
Sharon was one of the first nurses to establish weightloss services in the UK and works as a Clinical Nurse Specialist / Counsellor in Surgery for Weight Loss.
 
The Gastric Band service can coordinate English-speaking patients who chose to have weightloss surgery with Dr Frering in France should they chose to do so.
 
Sharon works as a Bariatric Nurse Specialist /Counsellor in Bristol and is a founder member of the Avon Obesity Service [AOS]. Her NHS work is based in North Bristol NHS Trust [Southmead and Frenchay Hospitals]. She is actively involved in research linked to obesity and has published and presented internationally.

Professional

Mrs Sharon Bates MSc RM RN Dip Co
 
Relevant professional membership include: Associate member of British Obesity & Metabolic Surgery Society [BOMBS], The Association for the Study of Obesity [ASO] and International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity [IFSO].